Choose from 37 Fun Things to Do in Brisbane
ShowingFilter 21-37 of 37 listings.
South Bank is perfect for a relaxing day out. The gardens are a mixture of rainforest, grassed areas, water features and plazas, leaving plenty of places for picnics in the many habitats. The river promenade is the main attraction, including the Grand Arbour covered in flowering bougainvillea, the Nepal Peace Pagoda, the open air amphitheatre of the Courier Mail Piazza, and many retail spaces. The most popular attraction of South Bank however, is the Wheel of Brisbane. A giant, almost 200ft (60m) tall Ferris wheel sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River, the Wheel of Brisbane gives visitors expansive, birds eye views over the city. On weekend evenings browse home wares, jewelry and collectibles at the South Bank Lifestyle Market.
Streets Beach is a main attraction of South Bank. A large, man-made beach covering 1.2 square miles (2 square km), Streets Beach is comprised of a huge lagoon, rocky creeks, and exotic plants, creating a mini-oasis in the center of Brisbane. The lagoon is also chlorinated and patrolled by lifeguards every day, making it one of the safest places for children to swim around the city.
Story Bridge
Story Bridge is Brisbane’s answer to Sydney’s Harbour Bridge. Iconic in its own right, Story Bridge is a heritage-listed, steel cantilever bridge that allows access between the northern and southern suburbs of Brisbane.
Story Bridge was built between 1935 and 1939, and was known as Jubilee Bridge until mid 1940. The main attraction of Story Bridge, as splendid as it is to view from afar, are the bridge climbs which began in 2005. A guided tour takes visitors up the bridge to stunning panoramic views of the city, out to Moreton Bay, and west across the aptly named Scenic Rim as they stand 80 metres above sea level. It’s also possible to abseil down one of the bridge’s pylons and into Captain Burke Park.
Practical Info
Story Bridge is part of the Bradfield Highway, and spans the Brisbane River from Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Visitors are free to walk across at any time. Climbing or abseiling the bridge carries a number of restrictions, including age and weight restrictions. Climbing the bridge takes place at three times: day, night, or twilight. Prices start at $100 for adults, $85 for children to climb or $120 /$102 to abseil.
Address: Brisbane, Australia
Hours: Daily
Admission: Varies
From $ 22
Rainbow Beach
This scenic beach is located on the Inskip Peninsula in a quiet village of only about 1,000 people. Though once accessible by boat alone, contracts set in 1969 with local sand miners made getting to Rainbow Beach a whole lot easier.
Today, 4WD enthusiasts flock to Double Island Point for wild off-road adventures, while hikers and wildlife lovers often find themselves combing the wooded trails of Great Sandy National Park, located along the south side of town. Visitors also love boating in Tin Can Bay, where wild dolphins play. But the more adventurous may find themselves paragliding over the crystal clear waters of this relatively untouched coastal destination or skydiving near its pristine shores.
Practical Info
Rainbow Beach is located in southeastern Queensland, just east of Gympie.
Address: Rainbow Beach, Queensland, Australia
Hours: Daily
From $ 137
Roma Street Parkland
On a hill overlooking Brisbane City, you will find a sprawling garden oasis known as Roma Street Parkland. This subtropical parkland boasts bamboo thickets, sunny picnic patches, calming waterways and meandering paths through botanical bliss.
The happy result is an inner-city retreat that can whisk you into another world, despite being only a few minutes’ walk from the central bustling business district and Brisbane Transit Centre.
Designed and realised by Australian gardening celebrity, the late Colin Campbell of the ABC’s Gardening Australia, Roma Street Parkland was established in 2001 as a horticultural wonderland, using the former goods yard for the adjacent train station. Since opening, the parkland has become a popular outdoor space, hosting entertainment events in the natural amphitheatre at the top of the park, as well as festivals and other recreational events.
Free guided tours are offered to show visitors around the Australian subtropical gardens and distinct globe-inspired horticultural displays. Between Friday and Sunday, a mini train, known as the Parkland Explorer, runs from 10am to 3pm for a gold coin contribution.
The happy result is an inner-city retreat that can whisk you into another world, despite being only a few minutes’ walk from the central bustling business district and Brisbane Transit Centre.
Designed and realised by Australian gardening celebrity, the late Colin Campbell of the ABC’s Gardening Australia, Roma Street Parkland was established in 2001 as a horticultural wonderland, using the former goods yard for the adjacent train station. Since opening, the parkland has become a popular outdoor space, hosting entertainment events in the natural amphitheatre at the top of the park, as well as festivals and other recreational events.
Free guided tours are offered to show visitors around the Australian subtropical gardens and distinct globe-inspired horticultural displays. Between Friday and Sunday, a mini train, known as the Parkland Explorer, runs from 10am to 3pm for a gold coin contribution.
Practical Info
Roma Street Parkland is easily reached by walking a couple of blocks from the Brisbane CBD or through the pedestrian access to Roma Street Station and Brisbane Transit Centre. Limited parking is also offered.
For more information about parkland flora and fauna, attractions, events and tours, search the Roma Street Parkland website. The Parkland is open every day of the week and is free to enter.
For more information about parkland flora and fauna, attractions, events and tours, search the Roma Street Parkland website. The Parkland is open every day of the week and is free to enter.
Address: 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
From $ 36
Parliament House
Constructed back in 1868, the Brisbane Parliament House is the active seat of Queensland's ruling Parliament. It was Australia's first Parliament House to be wired with electricity, and remains an architectural gem in Queensland's bustling capital. For a detailed look at inside the building, join an afternoon public tour through the building's exquisite interior, where you'll pass the foyer and grand staircase and see the building's verandah, and view the curious "wind yarn," or Parliament's didgeridoo. When Parliament is in session, you can sit and watch as the laws are made and Queensland's elect are at work, and there are even those who say the building is haunted with political ghosts. Aside from the architecture, regal surroundings, and dose of Australian history, a visit to Brisbane's Parliament house is a way to view the political process that rules the northeastern state.
Practical Info
Brisbane's Parliament House is located on the corner of Alice and George streets, and is an easy walk from any site in Brisbane's CBD. It's set just across the street from the Botanic Gardens, and public tours are conducted Monday-Friday, at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. On days when Parliament is actively sitting, there is one tour at day at 2pm where you can also watch Parliament in session. To join the tour, check in at the visitor center in the Parliament Annex by using the Alice Street entrance. Once per month, there is a High Tea from 10:30am-noon for $47/person.
Address: George St, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm and Sun 10am-2pm
From $ 82
Customs House
With its striking green dome and colonnaded façade looming over the riverside, Brisbane's grand Customs House stands out as one of the city's most iconic heritage buildings. Dating back to 1889, the Customs House originally served to collect the custom duties on imports brought in Brisbane port, but today, the historic building is run by The University of Queensland and best known for its glamorous ballroom and function rooms.
The architectural gem is also open to the public, with visitors able to stroll around the building, view the Stuartholme-Behan exhibition of Australian Art and admire the collection of artifacts and memorabilia on display. There's also an on-site restaurant, with terrace seating overlooking the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge.
Practical Info
The Customs House is located on Queen Street in central Brisbane and is open daily from 9am to late.
Address: 399 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000, Australia
Hours: Daily from 9am- late
From $ 103
Wheel of Brisbane
Admire the gleaming cityscape and natural beauty of Brisbane City from a lofty carriage on the Wheel of Brisbane. Likened to the famous London Eye, the Wheel of Brisbane offers an exciting chance to look across the city from above.
Take your time to spot the heritage buildings nestled among modern skyscrapers, admire the Brisbane River as it twists through the city centre, and enjoy the vibrant lights of the Brisbane’s attractions as they create an evening rainbow.
Take your time to spot the heritage buildings nestled among modern skyscrapers, admire the Brisbane River as it twists through the city centre, and enjoy the vibrant lights of the Brisbane’s attractions as they create an evening rainbow.
Practical Info
The Wheel of Brisbane is easy to find once you’re in the South Bank
area, just walk towards the gleaming white circle in the sky. To access
the South Bank and Cultural Centre precinct, you can take a train to
South Bank or South Brisbane train stations or a bus to the Cultural
Centre bus station. Alternatively, take a 10 minute walk across the
Victoria Bridge from the Brisbane CBD.
Address: Cultural Forecourt/Russell St, South Bank, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Hours: 11am-9:30pm Mon-Thu; 10am-11pm Friday and Saturday, and 10am-10pm Sundays.
Admission: Adult: AUD$15; Concession AUD$12.80; Child AUD$12
From $ 36
Queen Street Mall
Queen Street Mall is the bustling retail vein of Brisbane City, connecting the business district to the Queen Plaza, Wintergarden and The Myer Centre, as well as heritage retail arcades, food outlets and live entertainment. Big brand international retailers and boutique local businesses create a balance of style and charm in the Queen Street Mall.
Known as the cleanest city mall in Australia, Queen Street Mall is a community hub that offers performance space for buskers, community acts and local and international artists, as well as public art highlights.
A tourist information centre, located towards the Edward Street end of the Queen Street Mall, offers mapping, ticketing, tourism and retail information to visitors.
Known as the cleanest city mall in Australia, Queen Street Mall is a community hub that offers performance space for buskers, community acts and local and international artists, as well as public art highlights.
A tourist information centre, located towards the Edward Street end of the Queen Street Mall, offers mapping, ticketing, tourism and retail information to visitors.
Practical Info
In the heart of the city, Queen Street Mall is possibly the best connected area in Brisbane, with Central Train Station, Queen Street Busway, King George Square Bus Station, Roma Street Transit Centre and many city bus connections within minutes of the mall.
Address: Queen St, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Hours: Most shops are open 9am-5pm Mon-Thur and Saturday. 9am-9pm Friday and 10am-4pm Sunday and public holidays.
From $ 44
Town of 1770
Originally known as Round Hill after the creek it sits near, the town of 1770 was renamed in 1970 to commemorate the 200-year anniversary of James Cook and his crew landing in Australia. Today, travelers flock to this destination on Queensland’s Discovery Coast in the Joseph Banks Environmental Park. 1770’s close proximity to the scenic Coral Sea, crystal blue Bustard Bay and Agnes Water make it the perfect destination for ocean lovers.
In addition to friendly residents, local restaurants and lively pubs, 1770 is home to a small marina where local boats make daily trips to Lady Musgrave Island and the Great Barrier Reef, as well as weekly trips to Bustard Head Light Station, too.
Practical Info
The town of 1770 is accessible using the paved road from Bundaberg, about 75 miles to the south, near Agnes Water. Residents of 1770 host a re-enactment of Cook’s historic landing every May as part of the 1770 Festival, making it an ideal time to visit.
Address: Seventeen Seventy, Queensland, Australia
Hours: Daily
From $ 281
Story Bridge Climb
One of Brisbane’s most memorable landmarks, Story Bridge soars over the Brisbane River at the heart of the city. Walk, cycle, or drive across, but the most adventurous way to experience the bridge is a bridge climb, affording 360-degree panoramic views of the city below.
The Basics
Inspired by the world-famous Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, a Brisbane Story Bridge climb lets you ascend the cantilever bridge and walk across the summit platform, all while safely attached to a climb line. Various climb options, including dawn and night climbs, an express climb for those short on time, and even the option to abseil back down, landing in Captain Burke Park, are available.
From the top, the views span Brisbane as well as the distant Glass House Mountains, Moreton Bay, and the Scenic Rim.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Arrive at least 15 minutes early to undergo the safety briefing for your 2-hour bridge climb.
- Participants must be 10 years old or older, more than 3.7 feet (115 centimeters) tall, and of reasonable health and fitness.
- No phones, cameras, or personal belongings can be taken on the bridge climb—secure lockers are provided.
- All climbs include a summit photo, and additional photos are available to purchase.
- Climbers are subject to mandatory Breathalyzer and metal detector scans before climbing.
- Jumpsuits are provided—wear light, comfortable clothes and enclosed rubber-soled trainers or hiking shoes.
How to Get to There
Story Bridge, part of Bradfield Highway, spans Brisbane River from Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Story Bridge climbs start at 170 Main Street, at the southern end of the bridge. Buses and taxis run there from downtown Brisbane, or you can take a ferry from Eagle Street Pier to Thornton Street Ferry Terminal, from where it’s a 5-minute walk.
When to Get There
Story Bridge climbs are available year-round and run in all but the most extreme weather conditions. Depending on your preferences, benefit from cooler weather with a dawn climb in the hot summer months (December–January), and dawn and twilight climbs offer the best lighting for photos. Alternatively, a night climb allows you to admire Brisbane’s glittering illuminations.
Climbing the Bridge
Suit up in safety harnesses and climbing gear, before setting out along the suspended walkway to the southern pylon base to begin your climb. Follow an easy route through the eastern bridge arm, all the way to the summit platform. Walk about halfway across the river, with plenty of time to admire the views and pose for photos atop the famous bridge, before returning to the starting point.
Address: 170 Main St, Kangaroo Point, Australia
Admission: Varies
From $ 96
Queensland Art Gallery
With more than 16,000 works dating from the 19th-century to modern-day, the Queensland Art Gallery is one of Australia’s leading art institutions and it’s the top ticket for art lovers visiting Brisbane. The gallery is split over two sites, the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), which opened its doors in 1982, and the glass-fronted Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), inaugurated in 2006, and the neighboring museums form the focal point of Brisbane’s South Bank Cultural Precinct.
The gallery’s vast permanent collection features works from all over the globe, with a particular focus on contemporary Asia-Pacific art. Highlights include works by Australian artists like Arthur Boyd, William Dobell and George Lambert; a varied collection of Indigenous Australia art; and a dedicated Children’s Art Centre. There’s also a cinema, several temporary exhibition spaces, gift shops and a café-restaurant.
Practical Info
Queensland Art Gallery is located in South Bank, Brisbane and is open daily from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free.
Address: Stanley Place, South Brisbane QLD 4101, Australia
From $ 74
Queensland Museum
In the heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Centre precinct, the Queensland Museum is a rich and ever-evolving exhibition space for art and culture, which celebrates more than 150 years of recording and exhibiting Queensland and global culture through world-class collections.
As well as hosting traveling exhibitions and the permanent museum collections, the Queensland Museum is home to the Sciencentre, a favorite attraction for families and school groups.
Take time to wander outside the museum, along the river front, past the fountains and sculptures and enjoy a break in the two museum cafes.
As well as hosting traveling exhibitions and the permanent museum collections, the Queensland Museum is home to the Sciencentre, a favorite attraction for families and school groups.
Take time to wander outside the museum, along the river front, past the fountains and sculptures and enjoy a break in the two museum cafes.
Practical Info
General admission to the museum is free, but entry charges apply to the Sciencentre and special events and exhibitions. Sciencentre admission costs $14.50 for adults, $12.50 for students and concession holders, $11.50 for children aged 3 to 5 years old.
Address: Melbourne St, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Hours: 9:30am-5pm daily. Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
From $ 74
North Stradbroke Island
North Stradbroke Island, nicknamed “Straddie” by the locals, offers a low-key escape from Brisbane. The picturesque island, the most popular of all the islands in Moreton Bay, is lined by white sand beaches on its eastern shores, while the interior is dotted with freshwater lakes.
The first inhabitants of the island showed up some 40,000 years ago, and members of three Australian Aboriginal groups call the island home today. Before you begin your explorations of the island, spend some time learning about the island’s long history at the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum.
Besides the museum, all of Straddie’s other attractions revolve around Mother Nature. Along the coast, it’s possible to spot dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and humpback whales, and more something a little more active, you can dive, surf, fish, sand board, sea kayak or take a 4WD tour of the island’s interior.
For a getaway even more off the grid, catch a ferry to Straddie’s sister island, South Stradbroke, a lesser known island where visitors can camp and fish.
The first inhabitants of the island showed up some 40,000 years ago, and members of three Australian Aboriginal groups call the island home today. Before you begin your explorations of the island, spend some time learning about the island’s long history at the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum.
Besides the museum, all of Straddie’s other attractions revolve around Mother Nature. Along the coast, it’s possible to spot dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and humpback whales, and more something a little more active, you can dive, surf, fish, sand board, sea kayak or take a 4WD tour of the island’s interior.
For a getaway even more off the grid, catch a ferry to Straddie’s sister island, South Stradbroke, a lesser known island where visitors can camp and fish.
Address: Australia
From $ 110
South Bank
South Bank is, as the name suggests, located on the southern banks of
the Brisbane River in Queensland’s capital city. Covering 42 acres (17 hectares),
South Bank is home to lush parklands, restaurants, cafés and bars, and
many, many events. The boardwalks and promenades threading their way along the riverside are popular with joggers and cyclists, and ideal for catching city views across to the CBD.
South Bank is perfect for a relaxing day out. The gardens are a mixture of rainforest, grassed areas, water features and plazas, leaving plenty of places for picnics in the many habitats. The river promenade is the main attraction, including the Grand Arbour covered in flowering bougainvillea, the Nepal Peace Pagoda, the open air amphitheatre of the Courier Mail Piazza, and many retail spaces. The most popular attraction of South Bank however, is the Wheel of Brisbane. A giant, almost 200ft (60m) tall Ferris wheel sitting on the banks of the Brisbane River, the Wheel of Brisbane gives visitors expansive, birds eye views over the city. On weekend evenings browse home wares, jewelry and collectibles at the South Bank Lifestyle Market.
Streets Beach is a main attraction of South Bank. A large, man-made beach covering 1.2 square miles (2 square km), Streets Beach is comprised of a huge lagoon, rocky creeks, and exotic plants, creating a mini-oasis in the center of Brisbane. The lagoon is also chlorinated and patrolled by lifeguards every day, making it one of the safest places for children to swim around the city.
Practival Info
South Bank is located directly opposite the city, and is connected to the city center by Victoria Bridge. Goodwill Bridge, in the south, also offers access across the river. South Bank is open from 5am until midnight daily, though individual attractions have their own operating hours.
Address: Australia
From $ 15
Teewah Beach
Travelers don’t have to voyage to the outback for a wild camping experience. Secluded Teewah Beach, a 50-kilometer stretch of scenic sand, offers visitors the chance to experience bush camping right on the ocean shores. This unique opportunity draws travelers from across the globe—particularly those eager to get back to nature and escape the hustle of the city. The remote village is a place where time has stood still. As a result, visitors won’t find modern-day streetlights or crowds typical of more popular beaches. Teewah Beach offers access to both Rainbow Beach and nearby Fraser Island, making it a perfect stop for 4WD fanatics en route to one of these other destinations.
Practical Info
Teewah Beach is located just north of Noosa, on the eastern end of the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park. It is accessible by a ferry located off of Moorindil Street in Tewantin. The ferry departs Sunday through Thursday between 5:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. and Friday and Saturday between 5:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Address: Teewah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Hours: Daily
From $ 274
Queensland Maritime Museum
Even though Australia is considered a continent it’s still an enormous island, so it only makes sense there’s a maritime history as storied as Australia itself. Here at the Queensland Maritime Museum on the banks of the Brisbane River, learn about the thousands of different ships that have wrecked on the Great Barrier Reef, and tour inside the Diamantina—a river frigate from World War II that’s the last remaining boat of its kind found anywhere in the world. Hear the tales of its service in the Pacific and experience the exceptionally cramped living quarters, and sit in the place where Japanese sailors signed surrender documents on board. Back on shore inside the museum, tour the exhibits on marine engines, lighthouses, and nautical equipment, or marvel at the exhibit of Happy II, one of the smallest vessels to every successfully sail across the Pacific. Hobbyists can marvel at a collection over 300 model ships, with styles ranging from modern construction to some of the world’s first sea craft.
Practical Info
Anyone choosing to visit the Diamantina should be comfortable navigating steep stairs and walking through narrow spaces. There are complimentary audio tours, as well as rotating exhibition from naval architects and shipbuilders.
Address: 412 Stanley Street, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia QLD 4101, Australia
Hours: Open daily 9:30am-4:30pm. Last admission at 3:30pm
Admission: Adults: $16; Children: $7
From $ 36
Treasury Casino
Housed in the historic Treasury Building, where in 1901, the proclamation of the Australian Commonwealth was read from one of the balconies, Treasury Casino is the glitzy heart of Brisbane’s gambling and nightlife. As the only casino in Queensland’s capital, visitors looking to strike it rich all cluster together in the game room, where poker, roulette, craps, and slots help keep the excitement at a high. There’s much more than simply gambling, however, to the notorious Queensland hot spot, as visitors will also find five restaurants, seven bars, and a nightclub, in addition to the adjoining Treasury Hotel that houses Brisbane’s high rollers. Eventually, there are plans for Brisbane’s Treasury Casino to move to a modern venue, but until that time comes and dice are still rolling in the historic Treasury building, visitors will still flock to the glamorous hub as they’ve done since 1995.
Practical Info
The Treasury Casino is located 25 minutes from the Brisbane International Airport, and is walking distance from many of the city’s most popular visitor sites. It is accessible via car, ferry, bus, and rail. For ferry, alight at the North Quay station; for rail, exit at the Roma, Central, or South Brisbane stations. There is also ample undercover parking on the George Street entrance next to Queens Park.
Address: 130 William St, Brisbane QLD 4000, Australia
Hours: Open 24 hours
From $ 82
Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo
Although the name mentions slithery snakes—which the site surely has a lot of—the Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo is also home to kangaroos, koalas, and over 40 other species of animals in addition to its reptiles and amphibians. The zoo is on the small side, allowing for personal attention from staff members and detailed answers to all of your questions about Australia's wildlife and reptiles.
Guided experiences are offered throughout the day, during which visitors can watch as staff members handle venomous snakes and feed saltwater crocs, or participate in a supervised kangaroo feeding. It's hard to believe the fearless nature of the staff as they handle the animals, but this is because of their extensive training and deep knowledge of the animals at the park. Although not offered by Viator, the park also offers koala and reptile encounters that can be booked onsite separately from admission.
Practical Info
The Snakes Downunder Reptile Park and Zoo is located
along the Sunshine Coast just off the Bruce Highway, a 2.5-hour drive north of Noosa and a 45-minute drive west of Hervey Bay. Gates open at 9:30am and close at 3pm, with various shows, talks, and events held throughout the day.
Address: 51 Lucketts Road, Childers, Queensland 4660, Australia
Hours: Thurs–Tues 9:30am–3:30pm. Closed Anzac Day, Christmas, and Easter
Admission: Adults $22; Children (4–12) $14
From $ 281